I froze. My eyes were still set on the gate, arms crossed as I frowned down at the courtyard, but I was far more alert than I’d been a moment ago, more awake. Isla.
Of course I am,I replied.
It was easier now that it was acceptable. We would be engaged soon enough. I had no reason to suspect Raghnall would reject my offer. That meant we were free to use this form of communication again. Why, then, did it feel so strange to do so?
Why areyouawake?I asked.
I have a lot on my mind lately,she replied a moment later, sarcasm thick in her tone.It keeps me up.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I turned away from the window and made my way to the decanter behind my desk where I poured a glass of whiskey. I’d finally gotten the acolytes to replace Nascha’s preferred wine with my whiskey. The study was mine in all but name now anyway.
I didn’t ask to be Heir,Isla finally said after a long pause.
I set the decanter down and lifted the glass, swirling the brown liquid as I settled back into my seat and kicked my feet up on the desk beside the journal. I’d known this conversation was coming. I’d been waiting for it. I was only surprised it had taken Isla so long to reach out.
But you should be,I replied.You care more about your House than anyone else in it.
To be fair, you don’t know Luca very well.
I know he was paired with Olympia. I love my cousin dearly but she isn’t meant to lead.
And we are?
I hesitated, glass poised just before my lips. Then I drank deeply.
I guess we’ll see,I told her.
If my grandfather accepts your insane terms,she countered.
I grinned into my glass and replied confidently.
He will.
The shrill squeak of the gate drew my attention away from Isla. Pulling the glass away from my lips and severing our connection, I squinted into the dark in an effort to make out the shape striding briskly through the garden. It wasn’t until he reached the light streaming out from the entry that I recognized Pax. Turning, I set my glass down and closed the journal. Trying not to ruminate too long on why he was alone, I waited.
It only took a few moments before Pax knocked on my door and I called out for him to enter. He closed the it tightly behind him before approaching me with a frown. I glanced down at his hands to find one single sheet of paper clutched within them.
“Well?” I asked, impatiently.
Without a word, he thrust the piece of paper out toward me. I took it, maintaining eye contact with him while I did, until I had it in my hand. I read the letter three times, shock seeping into me more and more with every repetition. This was him. This was the real Eximius, the one the madness took and left without a trace, and this was why.
“The journal?” I asked, looking back up at Pax.
“The House of Harlowe has it and they won’t give it up,” Pax explained with a frown. “Jude said we were welcome to come and read it there. Olympia and I negotiated for permission to send an acolyte to copy the whole thing, word for word, so it can be studied. He agreed on the condition that one of us must always be with the acolyte.”
“Good,” I said and stood. “I’ll go read through it now. There are some inconsistencies in the journal I have that I’d like cleared up. I think if I can–”
“Sir,” Paxon interrupted me. He moved to the side to block my path toward the door. My brow wrinkled as I frowned at him, caught off guard. “Olympia and I both agreed it would be best if you aren’t seen on the lower rings for awhile. It’s unusual as it is but, after allowing the Bexleys full visitation rights to a Major House and now this new arrangement with a Minor House to share our family history–”
“You doubt my decisions?”
“We feel it would be best if you took a step back, just a bit, and let us handle the lower level issues. I will go with an acolyte of your choice every day and sit with them while they copy the journal. I will bring the day’s copy to you every evening for review.”
“I could just go and read it now,” I argued, frustrated.
“Appearances matter, Sir,” Paxon reminded me. “Especially now. With Cosmo acting the way he is, we can’t afford to upset the balance.”
I watched my cousin, warily. He was more right than he knew. Reluctantly, I relented.
